This is Mardell’s second annual holiday-themed queer historical and I hope it continues to be an annual occasion. (I wouldn’t even mind something moreThis is Mardell’s second annual holiday-themed queer historical and I hope it continues to be an annual occasion. (I wouldn’t even mind something more frequent.) A runaway heiress, a mistaken identity, and a Scottish highland estate in desperate need of a more diligent landlord make for a sapphic romance worthy of a Hallmark movie. Mardell’s writing is solid and the delightful characters make one willing to ignore a few petty little plot-holes. ...more
Sapphic regency romance, which by rights ought to be my catnip, but I stopped reading halfway through (and had been skimming for half of that). This bSapphic regency romance, which by rights ought to be my catnip, but I stopped reading halfway through (and had been skimming for half of that). This book had two main problems for me. One was that there is very little awareness of the social and economic forces that underpinned Regency society. I mean, we all make allowances for the protagonists of Regency romances to be extraordinary within their setting, but they still need to be plausible. Very little about the heroine’s family context or voiced expectations made any sense for the era. The attitudes and interactions felt very “modern people dressed in costume.” And on top of that, I simply didn’t like the protagonist as a person. I could find no reason to root for her to get her happy ending. I really wish I could have like this book more, especially given that the author appears to be on quite a roll with three sapphic Regencies out as of this month and a fourth on the way. ...more
Waite is doing some really fun things with non-standard heroines in her Regency-era sapphic romance series. This is very well written and has realistiWaite is doing some really fun things with non-standard heroines in her Regency-era sapphic romance series. This is very well written and has realistic and enjoyable protagonists, with a slate of similarly interesting side characters. If the book has a flaw, it’s that there were far too many side-plots going on. There were times the narrative flow seemed to lose momentum, and one aspect of the eventual social crisis broke my suspension of disbelief a little, though not due to any fault in the history. (I do wish the series had a better cover designer or at least a budget for models with more appropriate clothing. The cover models look like their wearing a 21st century business suit and a prom dress respectively. Honestly, it doesn’t say “historical” to me and if I were shopping purely based on covers, I might have overlooked it.) ...more
(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) The best of the sapphic Austen lot. What’s the real story behind the sickly and nearly invis(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) The best of the sapphic Austen lot. What’s the real story behind the sickly and nearly invisible Anne de Bourgh (of Pride and Prejudice)? Greeley begins with the premise that Anne was the victim of a laudanum addiction, begun to quiet a colicky infant and continued through young adulthood because her withdrawal symptoms were interpreted as a medical crisis. After she decides to take charge of her own life and beats the addiction with the help of a cousin, Anne finds happiness in the arms of a female companion. Not structured as a romance novel, but definitely has a happy ending. The writing is marvelous and evocative and the author captures the context of passionate friendship in a believable way....more
(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) This adaptation does something that simply does not work for me: taking the existing text of(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) This adaptation does something that simply does not work for me: taking the existing text of P&P and making minor modifications to tell a slightly different story. The premise that Caroline Bingley’s real issue with Lizzie Bennet was that she was madly in love with her, and that the close friendship between Darcy and Bingley was a bit more than friendship, has some intriguing potential. But this version of that premise felt simply lazy and pointless....more
(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) This novel builds on the premise that Charlotte Lucas (of Pride and Prejudice) now Mrs. Coll(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) This novel builds on the premise that Charlotte Lucas (of Pride and Prejudice) now Mrs. Collins, harbored a secret and never expressed passion for Lizzie Bennet. Having resigned herself to Lizzie’s happiness as Mrs. Darcy, and deeply unhappy and unsatisfied in her own marriage, she finds herself falling for the sister of the local doctor, a woman with a mysterious and ultimately horrifying backstory. A somewhat uncomfortable psychological novel, though structurally satisfying as a romance. But there were several plot twists and backstory scenarios that stretched my willing disbelief to the breaking point. The writing is quite good, though. ...more
(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) Sapphic Jane Austen fan-fiction in which Mary Crawford (of Mansfield Park) falls in with a l(Read as part of a "sapphic takes on Jane Austen" binge.) Sapphic Jane Austen fan-fiction in which Mary Crawford (of Mansfield Park) falls in with a lesbian sex club masquerading as an order of nuns. Ridiculous from a historical point of view and the writing is stiff and awkward. Basically an excuse for some erotic scenes....more
A sapphic reconfiguration of Jane Eyre with an extremely gothic flavor. This had me riveted to my earbuds and biting my nails through to the final chaA sapphic reconfiguration of Jane Eyre with an extremely gothic flavor. This had me riveted to my earbuds and biting my nails through to the final chapter. Very well written and gripping. Don’t mistake this for “a romance” but the erotic relationship between the two women is central to, and drives, the plot. Content note for various types of abuse, violence, and gaslighting. (Consumed as audio, which I highly recommend.) ...more
A teaser story set in the world of the author's Caribbean pirates novel The Raven and the Banshee. Like most f/f pirate stories, a bit light on historA teaser story set in the world of the author's Caribbean pirates novel The Raven and the Banshee. Like most f/f pirate stories, a bit light on history and heavy on swashbuckling. If you like this sort of thing, you’ll probably like it....more
I’m never going to complain about the hints and beginnings of an openness in mainstream romance publishing to consider f/f historical romances. HopefuI’m never going to complain about the hints and beginnings of an openness in mainstream romance publishing to consider f/f historical romances. Hopefully we will eventually have so many that I don’t find myself pinning all my hopes on each individual title. Sebastian’s entry into the field branches off from an existing series, matching a lady’s companion with a haunted past and a maid with a suspicious present in something of a revenge caper. The romance worked for me, but there were a number of improbabilities in the depiction of the social context that kept throwing me out of the story. Including the resolution to the revenge-caper. So: enjoyable, but not quite up to what I always hope for. ...more
In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the character of Miranda is something of a cipher – a pawn who exists only in other people’s image of her and plans for In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the character of Miranda is something of a cipher – a pawn who exists only in other people’s image of her and plans for her. Duckett’s novella images her after her father’s return to Italy, as she begins to shake free of being a silent pawn and ask some hard questions: like what actually happened to her mother and what is lurking in the tunnels beneath the castle? She makes an uneasy alliance (and finds the possibility of romance) with a serving woman who has her own reasons to distrust the power structures in Milan. There are elements of almost gothic-style horror as well as mystery and the romance sub-plot. The fantasy elements drive the plot, but also provide a positive resolution that would not have been available in a purely historic setting. ...more
I read this book through an interesting lens, because I was reading it in parallel with a how-to book on writing romance plots. And while I loved 90% I read this book through an interesting lens, because I was reading it in parallel with a how-to book on writing romance plots. And while I loved 90% of Lady’s Guide, the parts that clunked for me were all plot elements that the how-to book insisted were absolutely necessary plot elements in a romance. While that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of Waite’s book, it did lessen my inclination to take writing advice from the how-to book. This is a well-grounded historical romance between two women with unusual avocations: astronomical calculation and fine embroidery. In between we get an “undermine the patriarchy” plot, a sexy romance, and a fun last-minute twist. The requisite roadblocks to the romance center mostly around the characters’ pre-existing emotional damage, with a touch of disparity of economic status. The one that didn’t work for me was the last-minute fight/misunderstanding at a point in the plot where I felt an external conflict would have worked just as well (or even better) to move the plot where it needed to be. But the characters are engaging and the history, as I said, is solid – including the social context for women’s same-sex romantic experiences. Definitely recommended. ...more
A historic fantasy set in medieval Portugal and inspired by a legend of the miraculous transformation of bread into roses. But is it a miracle or a cuA historic fantasy set in medieval Portugal and inspired by a legend of the miraculous transformation of bread into roses. But is it a miracle or a curse for your touch to turn food into flowers? This story explores themes of self-harm, disordered eating, and the legacy of religious intolerance, all tied up in a slow-growing romance between a future queen and the magical woman who may be her only hope of surviving. Pinguicha has the knack of framing her story with realistic historic attitudes, beliefs, and reactions without suggesting that it places a happy ending out of reach. Highly recommended. ...more
A graphic novel telling the romance between two women in service, set in a time of social change and opportunity. One character is unapologetically plA graphic novel telling the romance between two women in service, set in a time of social change and opportunity. One character is unapologetically plain and plump, the other is a bi-racial daughter of the English presence in India. There’s lots of exploration of family, loyalty, community, and the tricky balance between security and making a life of your own. And sex. There’s lots of sex. Which I hadn’t quite expected to see on the page given the feel of the cover art and description. Not a problem, just not expecting that. There are some fun bonus “self-fan-fic” extras at the end, including a modern-setting AU of the characters. This historic grounding of the story is wonderfully detailed and accurate and the art is delightful....more
Set in the same magical-Regency world as Cho’s earlier Sorcerer to the Crown, but overlapping only slightly in characters, this book tells the story oSet in the same magical-Regency world as Cho’s earlier Sorcerer to the Crown, but overlapping only slightly in characters, this book tells the story of two sisters in Malaysia, struck by a curse that sends one on a quest to England and fairyland to find a cure for her sister’s fading. Along the way, she must conceal her own lack of magic, enlist the aid of the sorceress royal and a dragon, and untangle the mystery of her own identity.
The story was utterly delightful, full of brash and daring women, incidentally queer relationships, unexpected magic, and a couple of plot twists that were no less enjoyable for me having predicted them from the beginning....more
There are times in your life when you really need a deeply engrossing story that will take you away from the here and now for the space of a couple hoThere are times in your life when you really need a deeply engrossing story that will take you away from the here and now for the space of a couple hours. One of those times is when you’re sitting in an emergency room waiting for them to confirm your pulmonary embolism. One of those stories in Nghi Vo’s novella The Empress of Salt and Fortune. I don’t recommend the former, but I do recommend the later.
A historic fantasy in a China-inspired setting, the story uses a quiet, measured narrative style to build tension with the feel of a thriller. Quite a feat when the action is all in the past and one of the principle characters has just died. The framing story involves the non-binary monk Chih, whose vocation is to collect histories, and whose immediate task is to unravel certain mysteries known to the empress’s handmaiden, Rabbit. The empress is a political hostage, imprisoned, powerless…or is she? There are several delightful twists to the plot, and half the fun is trying to guess what they’ll be from the scraps and clues, in parallel with Chih’s quest.
The narrative style is likely to be different from what you expect from a fantasy novel, but I recommend embracing it and letting it lead you, bit by bit, into the story. There’s a second novella featuring another of Chih’s story-collecting adventures and I’m looking forward to equal enjoyment. Oh, and both books have sapphic elements, so there's that as well....more
When I read an excerpt of this book to mention it in my podcast, I thought the writing was gorgeous but there was something in the rhythm of the proseWhen I read an excerpt of this book to mention it in my podcast, I thought the writing was gorgeous but there was something in the rhythm of the prose that made me doubt I’d get through reading it. So on impulse I bought the audiobook and it was the best decision because the narrator made both the language and narrative style of the Norwegian setting come alive. Listening in audiobook also made it easier to keep going when I wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out, or whether the hints and promises of a sapphic relationship were going to be fulfilled. There are elements in this plot that can only go in certain directions. But that doesn’t preclude some of those directions from avoiding outright tragedy. Maren has lived in the isolated fishing village of Vardø all her life. She has found a man she doesn’t feel too bad about marrying, though it’s clear that she has some unrecognized homoerotic urges floundering for expression. Mostly they’re expressed in something of a crush on an older, somewhat butch woman who scoffs at following gender norms when the loss of almost all the men in a storm leaves the women of Vardø to fend for themselves. But 17th century Europe wasn’t very forgiving of overt gender non-conformity, even when necessary for survival, and when the new commissioner arrives at Vardø to hunt down heresy and sorcery, such nonconformists are an obvious target, second after the Sámi who, as non-Christians, are marked for vicious persecution. The commissioner, very pragmatically, has picked up a Norwegian wife, but failed in some of his practical aims by choosing the sheltered daughter of a ship-owner, fallen on hard times. Ursa barely knows the basics of an urban housewife, to say nothing of being in sole charge of a rural household with no servants. She can’t turn to her husband for help--even in marriage he’s a complete stranger to her. Her need combines with Maren’s loneliness to form a fast, if unbalanced friendship. There is a sensual component to that friendship that the two women are unsure how to express until the aftermath of the emotional crisis of the witch trials and executions, which include the execution of Maren’s crush. Although the structure of the plot doesn’t allow for a romantic happily-ever-after ending, it does allow for passion, agency, revenge, and hope. Same-sex love is not punished with death, although it feels touch-and-go for a bit. And though I felt put through the emotional wringer, The Mercies left me feeling validation that the field of queer historical fiction is strong enough to tell stories like this. Stories that tackle the rough parts of history and include us in them without needing either to coddle us or to punish us for existing. Romances with guaranteed, formula-driven happy endings are important--essential even. But they aren’t the only important type of story to tell. What I long for is the day when any story I encounter could potentially have queer characters included in it. We can’t have that if we require guarantees and promises. And a romantic couple in a permanent bond is not the only possible way for queer people to be happy in history. Sometimes you find it in recognizing and acknowledging your desires. Sometimes you find it in holding close and then letting go, knowing the joy you took will stay with you. Sometimes you find it in hefting up a stone rolling pin and claiming your freedom. ...more
A relatively short Regency novella, with a f/f match that’s a spin-off from an existing m/f series. It’s lovely to see more entries into the f/f RegenA relatively short Regency novella, with a f/f match that’s a spin-off from an existing m/f series. It’s lovely to see more entries into the f/f Regency field. (Pro tip: there are other ways to make your Regency heroine stand out as non-conforming than to give her scientific interests. I mean, I’m all about the geek girls but it feels like it’s being treated as obligatory.) The story is well-written with engaging characters, though either it was relying on the reader being familiar with the prior books, or it was trying to stuff too many side characters into too few words, because I felt like we were getting the synopsis of several novels’ worth of plot. If, like me, you’re pining for more f/f romances in traditionally popular historic settings, this will be a treat....more
Merchants of Milan by Edale Lane has a delightful premise: a young woman in early 16th century Italy, using da Vinci-style technology, becomes a maskeMerchants of Milan by Edale Lane has a delightful premise: a young woman in early 16th century Italy, using da Vinci-style technology, becomes a masked vigilante seeking revenge for her father’s murder, and along the way finds romance with an aristocratic widow. Unfortunately, both the narrative style and the historic underpinnings failed for me. I wouldn’t have been bothered by the tendency to describe everything in twice as much detail as necessary (we know the exact shade of every character’s eye color) if the focus had felt more aligned with the era of the setting. But that was where I was pushed out of the story. The thoughts, concerns, assumptions, and preoccupations of the characters simply felt too modern to me. In particular, for a sapphic romance, the attitudes of the characters toward sexuality felt out of tune with the cultural setting. For me, one of the joys of reading historical romance is seeing how people negotiate and carve out a happy ending within the specific concerns and constraints of the setting. When both the roadblocks and the solutions rely on 20th century attitudes, I don’t get that joy. Merchants of Milan is the first book in a trilogy, so if you think you might have a more positive reading experience than I did, there’s a lot of story available. ...more
This is a coming-of-age story set in 1950s San Francisco that intersects the experiences of a second-generation Chinese-American woman, balancing the This is a coming-of-age story set in 1950s San Francisco that intersects the experiences of a second-generation Chinese-American woman, balancing the expectations of her family and culture with a geeky love of science fiction and math, in the midst of exploring her sexuality in the lesbian nightclubs of North Beach at the side of a new friend who shares all the interests that are drawing her away from the path laid out for a "good Chinese daughter." The story is a bildungsroman rather than a romance, though there is the promise of a happy ending for all the various threads. And the protagonist's discovery of her sexuality is only one of several central themes. In particular, Lo creates a vivid picture of the Chinese community in mid-century San Francisco, in all its complexity and contradictions....more
